Kualapuu, HI vs Wailea, HI

The cost of living difference between Kualapuu, HI and Wailea, HI is dramatic. Kualapuu is 53.6% cheaper than Wailea, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kualapuu has a cost index of 104 while Wailea sits at 225, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kualapuu is $1,500/month compared to $2,485/month in Wailea — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kualapuu is more affordable at $258,900 median vs $1,363,700.

Median household income in Kualapuu is $52,500 compared to $89,375 in Wailea (-41.3%). The higher salaries in Wailea partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Kualapuu spend roughly 34.3% of their income on rent, more than the 33.4% in Wailea. The Wailea ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.